It is being made by Left Bank Pictures for BBC1 through BBC Scotland, in association with Mediaset, Masterpiece on PBS and ZDF, with additional funding from the corporation's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, Ingenious and Lipsync.

"Zen is handsome, humorous and romantic and Rufus Sewell is the perfect choice to play Didbin's delightful creation. People love to see Italy on screen and there is a huge appetite for Italian style and culture."

Sewell said he was thrilled to be playing "such an intriguing, complex and likeable character."

• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000.

• If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".